Display case

ABSTRACT

A case for displaying art objects such as plates or the like is constructed in such a manner as to permit the art object to be readily removed for cleaning or handling. The case has a frame in which is mounted a transparent front panel and a removable rear panel spaced therefrom to define a display chamber. A removable one-piece wire form engages in a groove in the frame and has a series of fingers which engage the rear panel at selected locations. The art object is centered in the display chamber by means of a retainer which surrounds the periphery of the object.

United States Patent [191 Knoell et al.

[ DISPLAY CASE [75] Inventors: John Knoell, Buckingham; Eric Siren, Chalfont, both of Pa.

[73] Assignee: John Knoell & Son, Inc., New

Britain, Pa.

22 Filed: May 18, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 254,673

[52] US. Cl. 40/152 [51] Int. Cl. G09f 1/12 [58] Field of Search 40/152, 152.1, 156; 206/72 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,715,823 2/1973 Brossard 40/152 926,348 6/1909 Miller 40/156 X 2,458,349 1/1949 Cross 40/158 R X 2,792,654 5/1957 Larson.... 40/156 X 3,376,974 4/1968 Hilliard 206/72 3,465,462 9/1969 Amt-Jensen 40/156 3,557,478 l/197l Sitzberger 40/156 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLlCATlONS 281,970 7/1952 Switzerland 40/ 156 99,595 4/1925 Austria 40/160 Primary Examiner-Robert W. Michell Assistant Examiner-Wenceslao J. Contreras Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Howson and Howson; Stanley B. Kita [57] ABSTRACT A case for displaying art objects such as plates or the like is constructed in such a manner as to permit the art object to be readily removed for cleaning or handling. The case has a frame in which is mounted a transparent front panel and a removable rear panel spaced therefrom to define a display chamber. A removable one-piece wire form engages in a groove in the frame and has a series of fingers which engage the rear panel at selected locations. The art object is centered in the display chamber by means of a retainer which surrounds the periphery of the object.

9 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures Patented Feb, 5, 1974 3,789,528

2 Sheets-Sheet. '1.

FIG. I. H62 4 /0 Patented Feb. 5, 1974 2 Sheets-Sheet 5% 1 DISPLAY CASE The present invention relates to cases for displaying substantially planar articles such as plates.

In recent years, the demand for commemorative plates has steadily increased. Some of these plates are displayed on metal hangers fastened on a wall; however, such hangers are undesirable not only because of their generally utilitarian appearance but also because the plates are completely exposed, thereby tending to collect dust. Moreover, plates displayed in this manner tend to be disposed at an angle with respect to the wall and this tends to detract from the aesthetic effect intended to be achieved by mounting the plate on the wall.

Because commemorative plates are often coined from metals which tend to tarnish or to become dull in time when exposed to air, it is desirable for the plates to be protected as much as possible from these undesirable effects of exposure to ambient air while on display. Even though encased plates may tend to resist tarnishing and soiling better than exposed plates it is desirable for the plates to be readily removable from their display cases in order to permit the plates to be cleaned and inspected or admired periodically.

With the foregoing in mind, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a novel case for displaying planar art objects such as plates and for protecting such objects from the undesirable effects of exposure to ambient air.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a unique display case which is capable of readily being opened to afford access to an encased article, whereby periodic cleaning and handling of the article is facilitated.

As a further object, the present invention provides a handsome display case which is capable of being mounted flush against a wall to enhance the decorative appearance of the article contained in the case.

More specifically, the present invention provides a decorative display case having a frame surrounding the periphery of a transparent front panel and a removable rear panel which cooperate to define an article display chamber therebetween. The rear panel is releasably secured in the frame by means of a wire-form keeper which has base portions engaging in a peripheral groove in the rear of the frame and fingers engaging the back panel at spaced locations. Grips are provided on the wire form to permit it to be readily disengaged from the frame to afford ready removal of the rear panel and the article. A hanger is formed integrally with one of the fingers, and the hanger is inset from the rear of the frame to cause the rear of the frame to engage flush against a wall when hung. The article is centered in the display chamber by means of a retainer having an aperture shaped to receive a major portion of the article and having a resilient flange engaging behind the article along its peripheral margin to urge the article against the front panel when the rear panel is in position.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a display case embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the case illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the case illustrated in FIG. 1, the view illustrating a removable wire-form keeper securing a back panel in the case;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 44 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of a modified embodiment of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in FIG. 1 a display case C embodying the present invention. As seen therein, the case C has a cove-type frame 10 which in the present instance has a square configuration; however, the frame 10 may have other configurations such as rectangular, oval, etc. The frame 10 has a transparent front panel 11 preferably of glass, behind which is mounted a substantially planar article to be displayed, such as a plate 12. As seen in FIG. 3, the frame 10 also has a rear panel 13 of wood or fiberboard, and the front and rear panels cooperate to define a substantially planar display chamber 15 therebetween.

According to the present invention, the case C is constructed to permit the plate 12 to be readily removed for cleaning or inspection purposes, and to permit the glass front panel to be removed for cleaning. To this end, the frame 10 has an inturned peripheral front lip 10a (FIG. 4) which engages along the peripheral margin of the front panel 11, and the frame 10 has a shoulder 10b spaced rearwardly from the lip 10a which engages along the peripheral margin of the rear panel 13. The spacing between the lip 10a and the shoulder 10b determines the width of the chamber 15.

The rear panel 13 is maintained in engagement with the shoulder 10b by means of a keeper, which in the present instance, includes a one-piece, substantially planar, wire-form 16 of spring material which cooperates with a continuous, inwardly open groove 17 lying in a common plane in the rear of the frame 10. As best seen in FIG. 3, the wire-form 16 has a substantially closed peripheral configuration and has base portions 16a, 16a which engage in the groove 17 and which extend around each corner of the frame 10. The wireform 16 has integral finger portions 16b, 16b which extends inwardly from the frame 10 and which engage against the rear panel 13 at spaced peripheral locations forwardly of the plane of the groove 17, in the illustrated embodiment at the top and sides of the rear panel 13. Each finger terminates in a rounded apex 16c, and each finger is turned or twisted frontward out of the plane of the wire-form and relative to the base portions 16a, 16a to provide a torsional spring action which causes the apex 160 to bear against and apply pressure to the rear panel 13 (See FIG. 5). Thus, when the wire-form 16 is installed as illustrated, the rear panel 13 is securely mounted in the frame 10.

In order to permit the wire-form 16 to be removed readily, the ends of the wire-form terminate in closely adjacent, outwardly-curled finger grips 16d, 16d which are disposed below the top finger. The grips 16d, 16d,

As noted heretofore, the frame mounts flush against a wall. For this purpose, there is provided on the wire-form keeper 16 a means to hang the frame 10 on a wall in a manner which ensures flush engagement. in the illustrated embodiment, as seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the apex 160 of the top finger 16b is turnedupwardly about a horizontal axis to provide a downturned shape 3 for engaging over a support on a wall, such as the hook 18 (FIG. 4). It is noted that in the present invention, the hanger is set forwardly of the rear edge of the frame 10 a sufficient distance to cause the frame 10 to engage flush against the wall when the frame is hung on the hook 18.

The plate 12 is supported in a preselected position in the display frame 10. In the illustrated embodiment, there is provided means to retain the plate 12 in a central location in the frame 10 by means of a retainer which engages behind the plate 12 and along its peripheral margin. As best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the retainer includes an insert 20 which is mounted in the chamber between the front panel 11 and the rear panel 13. The insert has a central aperture 20a with a shape corresponding to the shape of the plate 12, and the aperture is dimensioned to permit a major portion of the plate 12 to be received in the aperture 20a. The insert 20 has a frontward-facing portion 20b surrounding the aperture 20a, and the insert has a rearwardly-extending peripheral flange element 20c which engages the inner-periphery of the frame 10. A flexible flange 21, preferably of felt or like resilient material, surrounds the aperture 20a and extends inwardly to engage bhind and along the peripheral margin of the plate 12. Thus, the insert 20 operates as a means to locate tlfe plate 12 centrally in the frame 10. It is noted that the rear edge of the flange element 20c engages the rear panel 13, and that the front-portion 20b engages the front panel 11 and extends outwardly into proximity with the frame 10 from aperture 20a. With this structure the insert is urged into positive engagement with the rear of the plate 12. If additional locating pressure is desired, a pad 23 of compressible material such as rubber may be interposed between the rear panel 13 and the back of plate 12.

In certain instances, where a plate such as the plate 1 12 (FIG. 6) has a circular rib 1 12a on its rear or under side, the rear panel 113 may be modified by providing a mating recess 113a or rib to center the plate 112 in the frame 10. in such event, the rear panel 113 provides the retaining and locating function. Also, if desired, the insert 20 may be provided with recesses, apertures or the like which are capable of cooperating with ribs or the like on the underside of a plate for securing the same centrally in the display chamber. Of course, the particular form of retainer can be varied to suit various sizes, shaped and structural features of various plates.

In use, the plate 12 is placed in the display chamber 15 with its front edge engaging against the inside of the front panel 1 l. The retainer 20 is then engaged against the rear of the plate 12, and the rear panel 13 is installed. The base portions 16a, 16a of the wire-form 16 are inserted in the groove 17, preferably serially and in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction from either finger grip 16d. The display case C, thus assembled with the plate 12 in the display chamber 15, can then be hung on a support on a wall in the customary manner. In order to remove the plate 12 or front panel 11 for cleaning or handling purposes, the foregoing procedure is essentially reversed.

- parting from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Although the preferred embodiments have been described with reference to plates, it should be apparent that the shallow chamber of the display case of the present invention adapts it to be used to contain other types of shallow articles such as medallions or the like.

What is claimed is:

1. A display case, comprising a frame having a front and a rear, a translucent front panel mounted in said frame, a rear panel spaced from said front panel to define therebetween a chamber for receiving an article to be displayed, retainer means for engaging the article and spacing the article in the chamber, said retainer means including a removable insert disposed between said panels, said insert having a frontward-facing portion with an aperture for receiving the article, the marginal part of said portion around said aperture engaging behind the article when mounted in the chamber, said insert also having a rearwardly extending peripheral flange engaging the inner periphery of the frame and said rear panel, keeper means located behind said rear panel and engaging said rear panel at spaced locations, said keeper means including a groove in said frame, a wire-form having base portions engaging in said groove and finger portions extending inwardly from said base portions to engage said rear panel at said locations, said fingers being turned toward said rear panel so that pressure is applied to the rear panel for securing the rear panel in the frame and for urging the insertforwardly against the rear of the article to locate the article in the chamber.

2. A display case according to claim 1 wherein said marginal part includes a flexible flange mounted on said insert and extending inwardly around said aperture to engage the article when mounted in said chamber with said frontward-facing portion of said insert engaging said front panel when said flexible flange engages behind said article.

3. A display case according to claim 1 wherein said groove lies in a common plane spaced rearwardly of said rear panel, and said fingers engage said rear panel in a plane forwardly of the plane of the groove.

4. A display case according to claim 9 wherein said frame has portions engaging one another to form corners, and said wire-form extends around said corners.

5. A display case, comprising a frame having a front and a rear, a translucent front panel mounted in said frame, a rear panel spaced from said front panel to define therebetween a chamber for receiving an article to be displayed, retainer means for engaging the article andspacing the article in the chamber, keeper means located behind said rear panel and engaging said rear panel at spaced locations, said keeper means including a groove in said frame, a wire-form having base portions engaging in said groove and finger portions extending inwardly from said base portions to engage said rear panel at said locations, said fingers being turned toward said rear panel so that pressure is applied to the rear panel for securing the rear panel in the frame and the article in the chamber, said frame having a top, a bottom and sides with at least one of said fingers depending from said top and including means providing a downwardly concave hanger integral with said depending top finger for engaging a support on a wall to mount said case to the wall.

6. A display case according to claim 5 including a pad of compressible material carried by said rear panel for engaging the rear of said article and urging the same forwardly to locate said article in said chamber.

7. A display case according to claim 5 wherein said depending finger has an apex turned upwardly about a horizontal axis to provide said downwardly concave hanger means and said upturned apex is inset from the rear of the frame to cause the rear of the frame to engage flush against the wall when the frame is supported by the hanger means.

8. A display case according to claim 7 wherein said wire-form terminates in closely adjacent finger grips located below said hanger means.

9. A display case, comprising a frame having a front and a rear, a translucent front panel mounted in said frame, a rear panel spaced from said front panel to define therebetween a chamber for receiving an article to be displayed, retainer means for engaging the article and spacing the article in the chamber, keeper means located behind said rear panel and engaging said rear panel at spaced locations, said keeper means including a groove in said frame, a wire-form having base portions engaging in said groove and finger portions extending inwardly from said base portions to engage said rear panel at said locations, said fingers being turned toward said rear panel so that pressure is applied to the rear panel for securing the rear panel in the frame and the article in the chamber, said wire-form having ends located adjacent one another with said ends terminating in finger grips to facilitate mounting and dismounting of said wire-form, and said wire-form having an integral hanger, said frame having an inturned front flange engaging a peripheral margin of the front panel and having a shoulder spaced from said front flange for engaging a peripheral margin of the rear panel with the rear panel being larger than the front panel, whereby both panels are capable of being removed from the rear of the frame after said wire-form is disengaged from its mounting groove. 

1. A display case, comprising a frame having a front and a rear, a translucent front panel mounted in said frame, a rear panel spaced from said front panel to define therebetween a chamber for receiving an article to be displayed, retainer means for engaging the article and spacing the article in the chamber, said retainer means including a removable insert disposed between said panels, said insert having a frontward-facing portion with an aperture for receiving the article, the marginal part of said portion around said aperture engaging behind the article when mounted in the chamber, said insert also having a rearwardly extending peripheral flange engaging the inner periphery of the frame and said rear panel, keeper means located behind said rear panel and engaging said rear panel at spaced locations, said keeper means including a groove in said frame, a wire-form having base portions engaging in said groove and finger portions extending inwardly from said base portions to engage said rear panel at said locations, said fingers being turned toward said rear panel so that pressure is applied to the rear panel for securing the rear panel in the frame and for urging the insert forwardly against the rear of the article to locate the article in the chamber.
 2. A display case according to claim 1 wherein said marginal part includes a flexible flange mounted on said insert and extending inwardly around said aperture to engage the article when mounted in said chamber with said frontward-facing portion of said insert engaging said front panel when said flexible flange engages behind said article.
 3. A display case according to claim 1 wherein said groove lies in a common plane spaced rearwardly of said rear panel, and said fingers engage said rear panel in a plane forwardly of the plane of the groove.
 4. A display case according to claim 9 wherein said frame has portions engaging one another to form corners, and said wire-form extends around said corners.
 5. A display case, comprising a frame having a front and a rear, a translucent front panel mounted in said frame, a rear panel spaced from said front panel to define therebetween a chamber for receiving an article to be displayed, retainer means for engaging the article and spacing the article in the chamber, keeper means located behind said rear panel and engaging said rear panel at spaced locations, said keeper means including a groove in said frame, a wire-form having base portions engaging in said groove and finger portions extending inwardly from said base portions to engage said rear panel at said locations, said fingers being turned toward said rear panel so that pressure is applied to the rear panel for securing the rear panel in the frame and the article in the chamber, said frame having a top, a bottom and sides with at least one of said fingers depending from said top and including means providing a downwardly concave hanger integral with said depending top finger for engaging a support on a wall to mount said case to the wall.
 6. A display case according to claim 5 including a pad of compressible material carried by said reAr panel for engaging the rear of said article and urging the same forwardly to locate said article in said chamber.
 7. A display case according to claim 5 wherein said depending finger has an apex turned upwardly about a horizontal axis to provide said downwardly concave hanger means and said upturned apex is inset from the rear of the frame to cause the rear of the frame to engage flush against the wall when the frame is supported by the hanger means.
 8. A display case according to claim 7 wherein said wire-form terminates in closely adjacent finger grips located below said hanger means.
 9. A display case, comprising a frame having a front and a rear, a translucent front panel mounted in said frame, a rear panel spaced from said front panel to define therebetween a chamber for receiving an article to be displayed, retainer means for engaging the article and spacing the article in the chamber, keeper means located behind said rear panel and engaging said rear panel at spaced locations, said keeper means including a groove in said frame, a wire-form having base portions engaging in said groove and finger portions extending inwardly from said base portions to engage said rear panel at said locations, said fingers being turned toward said rear panel so that pressure is applied to the rear panel for securing the rear panel in the frame and the article in the chamber, said wire-form having ends located adjacent one another with said ends terminating in finger grips to facilitate mounting and dismounting of said wire-form, and said wire-form having an integral hanger, said frame having an inturned front flange engaging a peripheral margin of the front panel and having a shoulder spaced from said front flange for engaging a peripheral margin of the rear panel with the rear panel being larger than the front panel, whereby both panels are capable of being removed from the rear of the frame after said wire-form is disengaged from its mounting groove. 